Assistive Technology for Reading and Special Education

Books That Grow was designed specifically to help special education students thrive in inclusive, mainstream classrooms, build self esteem, and improve their reading ability as much as possible. See below how Books That Grow unlocks each student's potential.

Books That Grow provides the same text at different reading levels

All texts on Books That grow are available in 3 to 5 different levels of complexity. Our library of fiction and nonfiction text can be used for individualized reading practice or standards based classroom instruction. See below how teacher and students can adjust the complexity of any of our text:

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Reading Level 9 (Original Text)

But one day a few weeks after his twelfth birthday, while looking in the mirror, Benjamin made, or thought he made, an astonishing discovery. Did his eyes deceive him, or had his hair turned in the dozen years of his life from white to iron-gray under its concealing dye? Was the network of wrinkles on his face becoming less pronounced? Was his skin healthier and firmer, with even a touch of ruddy winter colour? He could not tell.

Reading Level 5

One day a few weeks after his twelfth birthday, Benjamin looked in the mirror and made, or thought he made, a surprising discovery. Did his eyes deceive him, or had his hair gone from white to gray? Were his wrinkles beginning to smooth out? Was his skin healthier and firmer, with even some redness to it? He could not tell.

Reading Level 3

One day a few weeks after his twelfth birthday, Benjamin looked in the mirror and made, or thought he made, a surprising discovery. Was his hair changing from white to gray? Were his wrinkles getting smoother? Was his skin healthier? He could not tell.

Books That Grow helps educators modify reading assignments for special education students

With Books That Grow, teachers can set specific reading levels for each student and decide whether or not the student can increase or decrease the reading level for his or herself. Teachers can also monitor each student's progress and view their results on embed quizzes and writing prompts.

Teachers can select a reading level for each student and give or take away the ability for the student to set the reading level.

Books That Grow is compatible with the webs best assistive technology and accessibility plugins for reading, including Read&Write for Google, Text Help, and SpeakIt!

Simply add the Chrome plug in of your choice to your browser, Read&Write for Google, Text Help, or SpeakIt!, and you now have text to speech and read aloud on Books That Grow. Just highlight a selection of text and click the plug in’s icon, and start listening.

Books That Grow helps special education students build confidence in their reading abilities

Now, special education students can sit side-by-side with their peers, read the same text, and join in the classroom discussion. As students read more and more texts, and engage more frequently in classroom discussions, they become more confident in their own reading and learning abilities. Research demonstrates that reading confidence leads to reading confidence.

Hear from educators how Books That Grow unlocks potential

Sabina BharwaniManaging Director of InnovationTeach for America

“What impresses me most about Books That Grow is its ability to engage and motivate every student in the classroom while eliminating achievement inhibitors such as fear, embarrassment, or defeat.”

Clare TimmisDirectorCOMPASS Youth Collaborative

"Now, all of our students can think critically on a shared topic, and contribute to a vibrant discussion. We have data showing tremendous reading growth of our students. Many thanks To Books That Grow!”

Dr. Denise HoyPrincipal Fayetteville Alternative High School

“Books That Grow has made it effortless to teach multiple ability levels in the same classroom. I am thrilled with the progress of our students who struggle with reading. It was easy to set up and the tech support has been amazing.”